 WTO Review of New Zealand's Trade Policy
(New Zealand) - June 2009
New Zealand’s fourth Trade Policy Review (TPR) will took place at the WTO in Geneva on June 10-12, 2009. TPRs are a means by which WTO members' trade and trade-related policies are examined and evaluated at regular intervals. New Zealand's prior TPR was in 2003.
The review was based on two reports - a policy statement prepared by the New Zealand government and a report written by the WTO Secretariat, following their visit to New Zealand in January 2009. Other WTO members commented on these two reports during New Zealand's review.
The report prepared by the WTO Secretariat highlighted New Zealand's commitment to an open international trading system, through both the WTO and through negotiation of preferential trade agreements.
As a small country reliant on trade, and especially in the current economic climate, New Zealand has been vocal in calling for restraint in measures that may distort trade flows. New Zealand has also been supportive of mechanisms to enhance transparency of measures taken by governments to support their industries.
The TPR is a valuable transparency mechanism in this context - a means for New Zealand to scrutinise other countries' trade policies. It complements the WTO's recent initiative to prepare reports on a regular basis on measures taken by members in response to the global financial crisis.
For more information contact Amy Elvidge, Trade Negotiations Division - email: amy.elvidge@mfat.govt.nz (or) ph: +64 4 439 8385.
Source: BusinessLink
....
Back to Latest Updates >>
.... Trade & Policy Updates >>
.... Tell us your thoughts on this article >>
|
